Your ride today....

[Donger]

I was riding with my mate Simon today. This always presents problems as to what to wear. I can't really turn up in full lycra, as he always rides in jeans and casual wear and rides really slow. Wore my touring trousers with padded lycra hidden underneath and a padded jacket. As I wasn't wearing a cycling top with back pockets, I didn't have enough storage for a camera, so no pictures today.

We went out to the Lower Lode pub 15 miles away for a couple of pints on the banks of the Severn opposite Tewkesbury slipway. Spent half an hour chucking a stick for an enthusiastic dog that apparently lived on a boat nearby. When we got bored, he moved on to the next table, and then the one after that. The barman said he does that every opening time .... works the crowd and gets played with by everyone in the beer garden, then goes home. We called in on two more riverside pubs on the way home (without imbibing). First was the Yew Tree at Chaceley Stock. ..... There was no yew tree there. Then came the Boat at Ashleworth. ...... There was no boat there. Come to think of it, there was no pub any more either, as it hasn't survived the latest round of floods. Very sad. It used to be a great little micro pub. Last time I went in there, three old ladies from the village were occupying the only chairs indoors, it was that small ..... yet the bar had 5 or 6 draught beers and the same number of local draught ciders on tap. More taps than seats.

We stopped off at the bird hide at Ashleworth on the way home and watched an egret fishing, and a territorial battle between a couple of herons. Then back along the banks of the Severn at Maisemore and past all the dry docks and the tall ship in Gloucester docks before parting ways. At exactly 35 miles, that was my longest ride so far this year, and a very pleasant one, though it left me a bit saddle sore. Must get my gear cables sorted.

 

[HLaB]

It started 0deg for my first ride today and for a change I met my mates between Wansford and Nassington for our gravel ride today and we headed to Peterborough town (basically the same route I took) to meet some more mates at a cafe. By the time we'd got to the cafe it had warmed up to a beautiful day and the gilet came off. We then did some of the Peterborough GreenWheel cycle route to Morbourne. At which point one of my mates decided we should explore a bridle way. I think Ive followed it before and I got lost I told him. Lol, After we got through a field it seemed to disappear but a foot path was at the far side of the field. He volunteered to see if it was navigable. 10s or so after we went through the gate came the cry, "hold the gate, I'm getting chased by a bull" 😂 After I left him I thought I would have a quick coffee at my favourite cafe, as it had turned really warm, get back clean my bike and do some TT practice. I had heard a Scottish accent in the queue. Just as I was leaving an old man turned around wearing a fleece jersey with my relatively small home town football (soccer) club badge on it, so I thought I'd say hello. A very nice old chap but when he was telling me about the last time he bumped into someone like which it turned out to be an old classmate he dropped that he'd say hello to a lamp post, I should have known it wouldn't be a quick hello. 45mins to an hour later I finally left the cafe.

The pics are in the Relive:
https://www.relive.cc/view/vWqBg3Z5PYv

I committed a terrible sin when I finally got home, I had a quick lunch and jumped on the TT bike for Bays +1) without cleaning the Gravel bike 😱
The TT bike had been shifting perfect except for the smallest cog (top gear) but it extended to the bottom three cogs. So I guessed I'd need a new cable which I would pick up after the workout. Or so I thought when I finished the wo the shop was closed for the day. That sapped the last energy from my legs. I hope I can find one in my cupboard or its a lunchtime visit to a lbs.

On the way home, I saw an ice cream van and suddenly had the notion for one. I can't remember the last time I went to an ice cream van That was the one thing I was warned not to eat during chemo in 2019 (my body would falsely think it was getting throttled and my stomach wouldn't cope with it out of a van anyway which might not be 100% pure) so it was at least pre 2019.


It was now 14deg C btw 😂

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

A couple of rides to mention.

Friday: Having not got a ride in for a fortnight I was really keen to make the most of a bright but breezy afternoon. I got the Dawes Galaxy out for its first trip of the season and headed off to do a loop orbiting Shrewsbury.

I thought I'd go around clockwise as that should mean I would be avoiding the school rush, however as I got to Meole Brace I saw the first few youngsters in green uniform (Priory School) and realised that they'd had an early finish for the Easter holiday. The cycleway along Roman Road that I had intended to use was way too crowded so I ended up on the road which fortunately wasn't too busy and allowed me to keep up a reasonable pace.

Things were quieter once I'd passed this crowd and I enjoyed the ride to Montford Bridge and Little Ness despite it being into the wind. On reaching Bashchurch I turned south for Yeaton and immediately felt the difference with the wind behind me as I cruised along at 20 to 25 mph. It would have been nice to have kept that tailwind on the undulating section to Old Woods and Merrington. I decided to have a bit of a detour to Harmer Hill then headed along to Hadnall. A nice motorist waved me across the main road when they didn't have to and the section to Astley was nice and swift with the tailwind.

For a change I took the shorter but lumpier way past Ebury Hill and the edge of Haughmond Hill. The wind helped up Ebury Hill but not as much up Haughmond Hill - the descent into Upton Magna was pretty good though. I could feel the effect of my time off the bike on the way to Atcham and it felt difficult to do the kind of pace I thought I should have been able to manage, then on the climb into Cross Houses my legs threatened to cramp up which isn't usually something I get riding this bike so I paused for a saddle adjustment. I got along alright with the last of the tailwind along Lyon's Lane but turning for home at Condover the headwind really slowed me down, knocking a good four mph off my typical speed on the run up to the A49.

37 miles for this one at 14.2 mph average. I had expected the average to be a bit higher but it was great to be out on the Galaxy regardless.

The view to the Breidden from the road to Little Ness.

At Yeaton.

Harmer Hill.

The Wrekin from Haughmond Hill.

Crossing the Severn on the old bridge at Atcham.

View to the Stretton Hills from Lyon's Lane.

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Yesterday: Another nice day beckoned so the Galaxy came out again. This time I thought I'd do a loop out to Melverley so started off along the same roads to Montford Bridge as last time. It took less than a mile to realise that the adjustment to the saddle done on the previous ride wasn't right - I felt like I was too far forward and leaning too much on the bars - but it only needed a very small tweak to feel much nicer.

The cycle paths were uncluttered this time which was just as well as the road was surprisingly busy as far as Shelton but then quietened down on the way to Bicton and Montford Bridge. The wind was a southerly this time so I had it helping on this stretch which gave some quite nice cruising speeds and made the hill after Bicton much easier.

In Montford Bridge I took a left instead of a right this time and headed for Montford and Shrawardine. The road through Montford has been resurfaced since I last rode through, which was a delight - I could keep the speed up rather than having to slow and weave through all the holes and lumps.

Turning towards Pentre I didn't have the wind behind me any more but kept up a decent pace on the way past the Royal Hill (doing a good trade I was pleased to see) and on my way to Melverley. It couldn't last and I was brought back down to earth through Coedwy and up the climb at Prince's Oak which brought the displayed average speed down depressingly quickly. I was riding against the wind now so made steady progress to Westbury where a change of route was needed as I'd realised I didn't know whether the long term roadworks at Shorthill had been finished yet. I headed through Asterley then Farley instead on some nice quiet lanes (if I ignore the one car that came past in a tearing hurry) to drop into Pontesbury.

Reaching Pontesbury I thought I'd go around the village to cut down my time on the main road. Getting waved into my turning by a motorcycle steward was a surprise but the signs at the side of the road made it clear that I'd joined the route of a sportive for a few miles (the Strade Shropshire sportive apparently). I got overtaken by just the one small group of riders in Plealey then split away from their route near Annscroft.

Riding through Exfords Green the wind seemed to be slowing me a lot more than I would have expected, however after crossing the A49 and dropping into Condover I finished with a really nice tailwind that swept me along to my next crossing of the A49 much faster than on the previous ride.

36.3 miles at 14.8 mph average. The bike felt great and I really enjoyed that one.

At Montford.

The remains of Shrawardine Castle.

View to the Briedden from near Wilcott.

At Melverley. This church replaced one burned down by Owain Glyndwr's men.

 

[footloose crow]

10 April. Can I stop here....?

I have a book written in the 1930s with advice for would be polar explorers that contains the line, 'choose your companions carefully, you may have to eat them'. My own version for my forthcoming book on 'Preparing yourself to cycle in later life' is.... 'choose your riding companions carefully, find one with an equally small bladder'.

It avoids the embarrassment of continually saying ' I just have to pull into the gateway for a second' for the fifth time on a ride, if all the other people you cycle with all agree that it is time to reduce the weight of liquid sloshing around - in fact there is an urgency to it. I even have favourite places on regular rides where I like to stop. Marking my territory perhaps. Easy on your own, more problematic in a group and fraught with opportunities for social shame when in a mixed group.

None of this is relevant to todays ride though. The goal was to complete a 100k audax which was advertised as a mere 1000m of uphill and nothing steeper than 4%. As is the way with these things it was a bit further and quite a bit more uphill than advertised with a fairly constant procession of steepish hills.

Waiting for the start...the sun was out at this point and a deep discussion on 'shorts or tights' was in progress.

The ride began in Falmouth and did a loop around the harbour and the two Falmouthian beaches and before setting off in earnest on some uphills to make sure that everyone can get warm. The sun disappeared at about this moment and the cloud thickened. The wind gusting off the sea was pretty serious about impeding progress too.

Stopping for an 'information control' and then an unusual kick start technique...or maybe he had just had enough of the gears?

Halfway around was Long Rock car park, in sight of St Michaels Mount and a cold wind off the sea. Cakes and bananas helped a lot here - thank you Falmouth Wheelers. Then through an Easter busy, overflowing Marazion and along much quieter lanes to to the even more crowded Porthleven next.

Waiting for Fred to sign our brevet cards. No fancy stamps here - just "Fred' scrawled unevenly.

My entry for the 'your bike leading against a post in front of a beach' competition. I got it wrong with the cranks and everything, I know.

At Long Rock the Wahoo said I had done 900m of hills so far, so I was wondering how the next 50k would be just 100m of uphill. It wasn't! The roads were good though, intricate Celtic knots of lanes through small hamlets and past half forgotten farms. Someone was telling me as we cycled along this section that he came from around here and that many of the locals never went more than ten miles from home. If you asked them for directions to anywhere but Penzance, they wouldn't know.

The long and winding road to Portleven. I stuck a label with all the information controls on the stem so I don't cycle past them....again.

The finish was at the cricket club and the pavilion was filled with cake, buns and sandwiches. It was good to sit there and chat to people and to be warm for the first time that day. Choice of clothing may actually be more important than the choice of companions. I had the wrong clothes for today, thats for sure. I thought it would be warm when I saw the sun in the morning. Brrrr all the way around.

I did at least get the choice of companion right though; his bladder was in tune with mine and our speed both up and down hills was perfectly matched. He is ten years older than me though!

This was a great audax route. Well done Falmouth Wheelers. There is another audax down this way on 15 May which goes all around the coast to Lands End at the far tip of the UK and then back along the other side. Come down and have a go, enjoy a pasty and an ice cream and experience what is probably one of the most scenic coastal rides in Britain.

Details here: https://audax.uk/event-details?eventId=9659

 

[bagpuss]

A few pictures from todays ride .

Bridge at Norbury .

River Dove .

Waters Meet at Norbury .

Lunch time?

Tree Line

 

[theloafer]

a little trip to the seaside and called in to see the wife while i was over that way as she was busy working .the weather on the sea front was bloody chilly .. lol glad i had my jacket on, had a quick cuppa and a few biccies with the boss then came back the selenic route Redmarshall longnewton then back into Darlo on the NCN14
managed 71 miles

https://www.strava.com/activities/6966022350

 

[Mike_P]

Weekend to catch up on.

Saturday and light shopping loads required from a number of stores equating in total to a rucksack full. The ebike up ‘Humps and a Hill’ for a change for a shopping trip, normally goes up another steeper hill but it dawned on me the subsequent crossing of the A59 was easier. Bilton Lane and onto the Beryl Burton cycleway towards Knaresborough, not exactly noted for its width and speed dropped to horse pace with the benefit at least of being able to use the level surfaced gated route pass a cattle grid. A wider area beyond and the horse now on the grass pace picked up; that plummeted to walking pace or less on a chaotic Waterside and I escaped up the steep Castle Ings Road.

Five items acquired in Lidl (three more intended purchases out of stock) and a decision made to scrap going to a M&S Simply Food as that would mean Waterside again. Northerly High Street avoidance route taken and I followed a cyclist on a road bike down to High Bridge over the River Nidd. On the hill away he stayed on the carriageway so turbo assist up the cycle path. Queueing traffic passed by, notably from the level crossing at Starbeck, and to Morrisons where three items acquired.

Normal route back passes Asda and with space in the rucksack called in to fill it up. Easiest route away from there uses a signposted cycle route along a not very wide footbridge over the railway immediately with a no cycling sign, which everyone ignores. A couple of pedestrians on it so one foot on the floor power pass them and I failed to notice what a dog had left behind; fortunately that avoided all but the front edge of the pedal – visions of having to flood the pedals SPD mechanism with all sorts of stuff were thankfully not a reality.

14.06 miles and 1026ft of elevation.

Sunday and back up ‘Humps and a Hill’, albeit slower by 90%, on the Defy. On the level beyond there was usefully a gap in parked cars as I was faced with an approaching fire engine, lights and sirens active. To speed up the ride rather through the showground and up Rudding Lane, once across the Stray I headed across to the A661, and immediately another outbreak of lights and sirens, this time an ambulance.

Turned off the A road to Follifoot, the on road NCN route to Spofforth and back on the A road to Wetherby. Onto Bramham where I paused for a snack and then through Aberford; the Garmin started protesting. I must have loaded an earlier version of the route I was following and when asked to recalculate the route it simply kept on requiring a U turn. I subsequently headed towards Micklefield by mistake when I should have turned off. Corrected and joined the A656 south to Castleford, the Garmin now had become fixated on its map screen to the extent that alerts from the Varia were not being displayed; a road side bench acquired to sought it out plus a snack.

Onto the A639 and through a busy junction with the M62. Pass Pontefract Racecourse and onto a dual carriageway where as it went up I needed to cross to a third right turn lane – it become conveniently quiet. Cut through to the A645 south-westwards to reach the second word ABC of Purston Jaglin. To find a sign solitary to the place I headed south on the B6421.

Seems someone got carried away with the signage as the war horse, a 20ft high wooden frame sculpture is to the west of neighbouring Featherstone https://www.featherstone-tc.gov.uk/war-horse-2/.

Back to the A645 and yet more sirens and lights – another ambulance as headed into Featherstone and a right turn followed onto another section of the B6421. Just got through a TL controlled cross roads on an uphill stretch before cross traffic started moving and eventually open countryside. Under the M62 and into Cutsyke where I got a polite thank you from a group of youths as I paused to let them across a zebra crossing.

Into Castleford once again, passing a Burberry factory

and in sharp contrast the 2015 architecture of the towns £6m bus station

Then back north on the A656 which meant going up the 1.4 mile long climb north of Allerton Bywater, at least the steeper bits are at the start but it was nicer heading south!

On a false flat almost at the top I paused for a snack at what transpired to be a public footpath entrance with a pair of felled tree trunks to either side, one making a bench and the other sadly somewhat decayed. The section of the route from the A64 to the A659 I think I rode faster than I did in the car on the A1(M) the other week. Another snack pause in Wetherby and then to Knaresborough in a new PR, Waterside was notably quieter and a brief warm sun was felt; it had clouded over and down grades had been pretty chilly. As I hit the climb away from High Bridge I got the onset of cramp in my right leg; spun faster and it went away thankfully; only 63% slower up the climb than the ebike was.

First 100km of the year and the Le Col sport bib shorts (with a £50 Strava challenge discount), paired today with leg warmers, were certainly a good investment. 66.42 miles 3424ft climbed 13.8mph avg

 

[Old jon]

A better looking morning made it easy to forget the forecast rain and take the pretty bike out for a pedal around. But I am glad I remembered my rain wear.

I had thought of a route to follow today, but did not expect to follow it entirely. And so it happened. Down the hill to Holbeck, Office Lock and up the canal towpath to Viaduct Road and the uphill starts. Through Headingley to Lawnswood, right onto Church Lane then Arthington Road up the eastern side of Golden Acre Park. There was a thought to carry straight on at the top of Kings Road for the descent of Black Hill Road, but the rain started and the steep bit of that road often carries a lot of farmyard . . .

So, down Kings Road to Bramhope and pedal on the the Dyneley Arms. Down Pool Bank at a fair rate of knots. Yes, I know knots are ships’ speed, it was persisting down along here, so hard it hurt! At the bottom I gave up the idea of riding up to Farnley and turned onto the A659, the direct way to Otley. No stop by the maypoles today, it is almost a ‘U’ turn to reach the start of Leeds Road and I did want to keep moving.

Not much to see on the way out of the Wharfe valley, except falling rain. Back into Bramhope, faster in this direction, and along the other side of Golden Acre Park, the straight way back to Headingley and the right turn to reach Kirkstall. Between canal and railway line there is one end of the access road to what was Kirkstall power station. Today it was the playing field for some firemen, or maybe it should be called a training area.



Down to Leeds along the towpath, a bit of a tour around the scrag end of Hunslet and a bit further up the road and I am home. The Bob Jackson is now a pretty dirty bike, the rain is easing off and I am cold. Thirty miles again, a bit over 1300 feet of climbing and that grin has come back. I enjoyed that.

Today's way . . .

 

[bagpuss]

Two hours roller work this morning .Our kitchen looks alot better.

 

[geocycle]

First day of holidays and got out for a ride! Had been planning a day in the dales but woke up to drizzle so decided to keep low level and chose the Lyth valley that heads up to Windermere. Ended up slightly further than anticipated but all very pleasant and not overly hilly. First stop was Low Sizergh barn for coffee and surreptitious purchase of Easter eggs. I was anticipating ’scrambled’ eggs but they survived well in the saddle bag. Then up to Brigsteer woods where the wild daffodils were still out and two jays were enjoying the strong scent of the ransoms. Was going to cut back at Brigsteer and followed my route passed a road closed sign only to find a bridge missing. So, retraced steps and up to Crossthwaite before turning back south to Levens Hall. By my world view Levens Hall is a lovely cafe with a stately home attached. Had the biggest slice of carrot cake ever. Sun came out as a trudged home. 57 miles with 935m of climbing.

Pictures of the River Kent with its rock bed channel and a field of snakes head fritillary at Levens.

 

[GuyBoden]

A short ride to Tatton park, Cheshire, while the rain had stopped and there were intermittent sunny spells. On the winter/wet weather bike, just in case of rain.

 

[bagpuss]

^^^I have never seen so many Snakes head in one place^^^

 

[theloafer]

2 weeks ago i was shown a couple of new and better roads for my Barnard castle loop thanks to Eddie + Tony ,plus it extended it a little ... so today i thought i would re-run it just to see if i remember it correctly. (its an AGE thing ) . made it round and there was only one junction i was fussy on ,and a quick look at os map on phone soon sorted it out ..lol .
A good day out if a bit chilly first thing but was able to remove a layer and swop gloves for mitts after i had a coffee at Eppleby a big thanks to the staff there as they were closed but still made me a coffee , only i little hiccup though while i did the change of attire i put the phone on the seat and then rode off without it luckily i noticed a couple of miles so not to far to go for it .
some time i think i should not be allowed out on my own . lol
57 miles https://www.strava.com/activities/6975802217

 

[Spiderweb]

My usual morning commute of 6.69 miles with an average of 18.1 mph followed by an extended home commute of 34.5 miles with an average of 16.7 mph. Lovely early evening ride.

 

[Old jon]

Coo! A bright and shiny morning out there. Best be taking advantage of that, there have not been many of that sort this year. Off with the Spa I went.

Still a bit cool, when I started moving, but I guessed the first bit of rising road might just warm me up. Across the Aire at Crown Point and once the end of Roseville Road is reached turn right and start ascending. Turn left at the clock at Oakwood, the road goes up to Street Lane and so do I. The long way around to Slaid Hill and then Wike Ridge Lane points to East Keswick. I like this road.

Slowly up Whitegate out of the village, it felt steep this morning, then turn towards Collingham. Which has a long descent before reaching the outskirts. A left turn, bridge across the Wharfe and a sharp little climb into Linton. More ups and downs on the way to Wetherby, where I stopped for a munch at the side of the farmer’s market. Not seen that for a while.

At the start of the ride I had contemplated riding up Jewitt Lane after leaving Wetherby, but by now I was not sure about that. Two steep steps separated by a stretch that only looks level. A bit of a rethink, and I rode the A168 south to Wattle Syke. Onto West Woods Road for a hundred yards or so and turn right. This, erm, road wends it’s muddy way to Compton and was intended to be an easier way to reach the top of Jewitt Lane. Wrong again.



Back on tarmac, Compton Lane no less, a field full of arks to my left, pigs must have been sheltering from the sun. And on the right is a view of the valley side I rode along earlier. Except I am on the same side of the valley, just a bit higher up than Collingham. Ah well, keep pedalling, East Rigton is next. And Milner Lane takes me all the way to Thorner.

Out of there up Sandhills, things level off before reaching Skeltons Lane. Onto the A58, turn right for the spare Roundhay Park gates, back to the Oakwood Clock. Then a re run of the route out earlier, to take me home. Eighteen hundred feet going up hills, and the same descending them of course, and thirty four miles of riding. Well worth a smile.

The tracks of my tyres . . .